updating mac from version 9 to OSX

[firestorm]

hey guys I just got a mac tower with OS 9 a couple months ago and I was wondering what can i do to at least get it with OS 10? trying to do it to do some homework tonight so I would hope to get an answer soon if it's possible.

Please help me X(.

[Garland]

The easiest way to figure this out is to make an appointment with a person at the Genius Bar at any Mac Store. They will get you up and running for free of charge. (meaning customer service. You will probably have to pay for the OS) The only real downside is having to wait a couple days because the appointments are scheduled ahead of time. And if the computer is a Desktop, (never heard of a mac tower before) then you may have to cart the computer in although I doubt it.

I think that you can just buy a CD of Snow Leopard (or Leopard if you have a PPC Mac) (upgrade is $29 for Snow Leopard, from what I saw) and boot from it to install the new OS. (Hold alt when you press the power key until you see the options for booting.)

I hope this is helpful.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

The trouble is that you've got to be sure that the version of OSX you're getting will be compatible with your computer. Check on the different versions and crosscheck them against your computer's specs. You want to make sure you're actually upgrading rather than giving your system something more than it can handle. This was one of Vista's faults when it released - It was being pre-loaded on to systems that simply couldn't handle it. Sort of like handing a 4th grader a Mensa application.

That said, although Snow Leopard is cheap I wouldn't recommend it for your system if it was designed to run OS9. You might want to see if you can find one of the earlier releases on eBay or Amazon.

[blkmage]

If the computer's running OS 9, then that means it's PPC and so it won't work with Snow Leopard anyway. The trouble here is figuring out whether your computer can run a version of OS X that you can actually get. If it's old enough to be running OS 9, then I don't know if it'll be able to handle Leopard, in which case, you'll have to go hunting for a release that you can actually run. After that is the hunt for software that you can actually run on your computer. I was surprised at how much stuff required Leopard when I clean installed my Macbook on Tiger.

[Mithrandir]

If the computer's running OS 9, then that means it's PPC and so it won't work with Snow Leopard anyway. The trouble here is figuring out whether your computer can run a version of OS X that you can actually get. If it's old enough to be running OS 9, then I don't know if it'll be able to handle Leopard, in which case, you'll have to go hunting for a release that you can actually run. After that is the hunt for software that you can actually run on your computer. I was surprised at how much stuff required Leopard when I clean installed my Macbook on Tiger.

You can totally run OS X on a G4. I've got it running on many of mine.

[shooraijin]

Or, you can have fun with OS 9.

(Disclaimer: I'm the chief nerd working on http://www.classilla.org -- ironically I'm writing this message while testing Classilla out on a really 0ld sk00l PowerBook 1400.)

My desktop G5 is Tiger, but all of my G4s run some sort of OS X except the MDD, which runs OS 9. A G4 must be at least 867MHz to run Leopard; I find Tiger runs a lot better and is a lot more compatible. None of my PowerPCs run Leopard.